The latest BYOD trends and predictions, from Mobile focus to Endpoint Management

The evolution of AI can be difficult to track, but these statistics reveal what trends we can expect to see and its future in the enterprise. Based on new research from eMarketer and other sources, here are the top trends affecting the state of AI:

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Having Wi-Fi is a must for any fast-moving, digitized workplace. This even extends into industries like hospitality and transit – think of all the hotels you’ve stayed in with complimentary Wi-Fi, or how subway systems and airplanes are now integrating free Wi-Fi for travelers. But what’s convenient for you may also be convenient for hackers with malicious intent, looking to exploit a company’s Wi-Fi in order to find a way into the system. This could turn into a huge threat to public safety, especially in terms of transportation and potential disruption.  As the world becomes more connected, a weak point that allows hackers access to a business’s Wi-Fi could be more than just a nuisance – the results could be catastrophic.

Being forewarned is the key to being prepared; it’s wise to keep up to date on the current warnings for places cybercriminals could target next. Third-party experts are also available to help ensure that your company’s Wi-Fi is well-protected against outside intruders. Take a look at the common places these hackers use Wi-Fi to gain access, and make yourself (and your business partners) aware of where vulnerabilities may lie.

Hotels

It may cost you a few extra dollars a day to log on, but most hotels now offer Wi-Fi to not just their guests, but anyone on the premises. This is great if you’ve got a big business project you need to work on; but not so great if you don’t have the proper security in place for your laptop or device. While hotel Wi-Fi is convenient, it also comes with the threat of hackers getting access to your personal files – as well as your corporate data.

Some of the routers that hotels use contain a flaw that hackers can leverage to monitor guests’ personal data and spread malware. Not only is the hotel’s security system at risk, but your computer could become compromised as soon as you log in.

Even worse, some hotels use a Wi-Fi system that’s also configured to be set up with the Property Management Systems. This makes the hotel vulnerable to hackers accessing their network of guest reservation information, credit card transactions, and even the hotel’s keycard systems – a costly mistake if a hotel doesn’t invest in the proper cybersecurity.

Transportation

With the Internet of Things gaining prominence – and promising to automate many of our usual life functions – it was only a matter of time before it spread to vehicles. The production of cars equipped with their own Wi-Fi networks is the first step; there are now multiple vehicles on the market with features that use the internet to enable drivers to easily make phone calls, control the vehicle’s navigation, and adjust the radio or entertainment system.

Putting all of these features into a central command system may seem like the ideal high-tech solution – until you realize that if there’s even a single vulnerability, outside forces could take over. If hackers gain control of a vehicle’s Wi-Fi, they can disable key features like the braking system. Unless a patch is installed to update the system, these vulnerabilities will remain in the cars.

Of even greater concern is the notion that hackers could also gain access to airplanes, as more and more airlines are beginning to offer Wi-Fi on board. A Wired article references a 2015 report that explains the possibility of a hacker hijacking the navigation system of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet, due to the fact that the Wi-Fi plans in these jet designs may not have accounted for proper security methods. While it’s a fun novelty to surf the Web at 30,000 feet, being able to feel secure in doing so is even better.

Mobile Devices

Anyone currently using a smartphone or tablet should be aware of best safety practices when it comes to logging on to public Wi-Fi networks – but cyber-criminals are getting sneakier by the day. Recently, security researchers discovered that hackers can use Wi-Fi networks to exploit an operating system bug in products using iOS, which repeatedly crashes any devices within range. When the devices attempt to reboot, they crash again immediately due to a “specially crafted SSL certificate” that instructs the device to shut down the system.

These types of small Wi-Fi based vulnerabilities are exactly what hackers are looking for. Even when you think you’re covered, gaps in security protocol and unexpected bugs can still pop up. If there’s a delay in sending out a patch or an upgrade, this can create a window for hackers to access your data or even seize control of your device. The above scenario may sound extreme, but it could be a real possibility if Wi-Fi systems are not properly secured and monitored.

Patching Up Vulnerabilities

These stories aren’t meant to scare you away from using Wi-Fi; rather, they’re meant to keep you aware of what risks are out there, so you understand that simply setting up – or logging in to – a business Wi-Fi doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be secure. The best solution to help ease fears and security risks is to utilize a third-party company that will stay on top of current threats to your Wi-Fi security, as well as constantly analyze and monitor systems to ensure there are no windows for hackers to slip through. Wi-Fi hacking scenarios are likely to happen more and more as Wi-Fi becomes an integral part of our society – and your best defense against cybercrime is a cybersecurity company suited to protect your network.

How do you feel about Wi-Fi becoming implemented in so many industries? Does it make you feel more or less trustworthy of Wi-Fi networks? Tell us in the comments.

Contributed By:  Eric Basu is the founder and CEO for Sentek Global. He’s a former U.S. Navy SEAL Commander who graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and holds an MBA from Anderson Graduate School of Management (UCLA).

The benefits of having a BYOD policy are numerous, particularly for
small business owners who need to keep overheads as low as possible.
However, there are also potential pitfalls to be avoided.

Here are some of the pros and cons of offering a BYOD policy to your employees:

Pros

Many employers introduce a BYOD policy for financial reasons. The cost of buying the necessary hardware and software for each employee can be crippling, particularly for startups and small businesses. BYOD device policies transfer these costs to your staff, allowing you to invest your startup capital elsewhere.

Often, BYOD policies give companies access to up-to-date technology, which they might not be able to afford otherwise. Generally, employees upgrade their personal devices far more often than company-supplied gadgets would be.

Some entrepreneurs believe that BYOD policies can improve worker productivity. Employees have access to their work devices all the time – not just during office hours – and are therefore more likely to put in overtime.

Similarly, when staff members are provided with company-owned devices, it generally takes time for them to become completely familiar with the new software. BYOD policies eliminate this period of acclimatisation, as workers are already comfortable with their own devices. Employees are also more likely to take care of their own gadgets, reducing replacement and repair costs.

Cons

There are some legal complications surrounding BYOD policies, which could deter small business owners. In many countries, once an employee-owned device has been used for work purposes, the company is jointly responsible for any laws broken with the device. Businesses could find themselves implicated in a range of cases, from sexual harassment and driving whilst talking on the phone, to illegal comments on social media.

With company-provided devices, it’s relatively simple to prevent employees from taking their gadgets out of the office, and for IT departments to restrict access to certain sites and applications. However, if the hardware belongs to the employee, it becomes extremely difficult for employers to do this – workers will understandably resist having restrictions placed on their personal devices. Businesses with a BYOD policy therefore run the risk of employees using non work-related applications and games during office hours.

BYOD policies also create extra security concerns for businesses, as it’s more difficult for employers to keep tabs on data. If employees use cloud technology on their devices, confidential company information could easily slip out of the office network.  It can also be tricky removing data from an ex-employee’s device.

Although many employers find that BYOD policies ultimately reduce business expenses, this isn’t always the case. If the company is paying for employee data plans, these must be strictly controlled to avoid surprise charges and extortionate bills.

If you’re considering allowing your employees to work with their own devices, it’s important to thoroughly examine the various benefits and potential problems. If you do opt for a BYOD scheme, you’ll need to create a fully comprehensive policy, which clearly outlines how employees are allowed to use their devices, along with mandatory security measures. You also need to decide how much – if anything – you’re willing to pay each employee for their data plan, and the level of technical support you’re willing to provide for hardware. BYOD policies can prove highly beneficial for small businesses – but, as with many schemes, there are also risks to be considered.

This article was written exclusively for Technology in Business by Matt
Everard of Barrington International Freight, a family run logistics company.

Take a look at how one company handled this difficult issue.

Budget Reduction
In 2012, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
had to reduce the IT budget by 15%. As the financial experts delved
into the numbers, they realized that the mobile device program
was costing the company a lot of money.

Almost 20% of the employees in this department had a company-provided device, which was
costing $800,000 annually. The CIO, Kim Hancher, analyzed which devices were in use
and how employees were using them. From there, they rolled out a bundled data plan
with shared minutes and offered the option to “bring your own device.”

Necessary to Stay in Contact
Many employees in this department decided to give up their corporate devices,
choosing to use their own mobile phones instead. These employees receive reimbursement
for part of the bill, but the cost of this is drastically lower than paying for the device and
complete plan. Since the EEOC has 53 sites across the United States, mobile access is
crucial to maintaining contact. So this solution provides mobility
while maintaining a lower cost and sticking to the budget.

Financial Analysis
Other companies are facing budget constraints over the next few years and this is a
great way to lower the operating costs for employees. The first tip before rolling out this policy
is to look at the numbers. If your business doesn’t spend a lot on provided devices, this may
not save you much money. But if you are providing high level plans to your employees, it can be very helpful.

Make Sure to Meet Security Needs
Tip #2 is to consider the security needs for your business.
You can require employees to maintain password protection or upgrade
the encryption software. Make sure to analyze this before you start the
new program, so that you won’t have any security breaches during the rollout period.

Research the Costs
The third takeaway from the EEOC policy is to read the case studies and understand
what the company needs to provide. If you bring your own device and business needs are high,
then the company should offer higher stipend to alleviate the expense. Since the business won’t
have to pay for a full plan for each employee, even offering more reimbursement will
cost less, so it will lower the budget.

Maintain a Good Attitude

The fourth tip is to roll out the new policy in a positive light. Emphasize the option for
employees to use their own devices, which eliminates the need for them to carry multiple phones.
Also remind them that the company will provide a stipend to cover the cost of business calls
and other mobile needs. Discuss the success of the EEOC when rolling this out to your employees
and help them understand that this policy will help reduce the need to lay off employees or cut back in other areas.

This has been a very successful policy for the EEOC and many other government agencies
are looking to implement it within their own departments.

Author
Teddy Hunt is a freelance content writer with a focus on technology.
When not behind a computer, Teddy spends the majority of his free time
outdoors and resides in Tampa, Florida. 

BYOD or Bring Your Own Device is a popular topic within the IT industry today.

Infograpic about BYOD

This infographic displays statistics from a recent survey of employers and employees
on the topic of BYOD

Better work-life balance, greater innovation and improved
productivity are just a few of the benefits of BYOD
Although it exerts greater pressure on IT security
and requires devices to adapt a specific communication
channels and storage formats, BYOD has proven to be
the future of devices usage in the classroom and work place.

With the techno-savvy generation of today which heavily
relies on media in almost every aspect of their lives,
BYOD has been an agent of change that has transformed
the classroom into a friendlier place for learning and made
it a more familiar place for students to be.

BYOD presents new opportunities for the Y Generation,
also known as the Millennial Generation or the Generation of Y learners.
Studies have shown that the current generation heavily relies
on Smartphones and wireless devices to spend time, communicate,
get news and do their homework and assignments.

Educators have made the right move to embrace this and use it to
their advantage rather than fight it.  According to Millenias:
A Portrait of the Next generation, 81% of Generation Y prefer to
be connected wirelessly and 73% uses social networks
to connect and interact with others.

C&R market research on the other hand discovered that more students today
own cellphones earlier in life.  22% of them own a cellphone between ages 6 and 9, 60%
between ages 10 and 14 and 84% of teens between 15 and 18 own cellphones.
Since a majority of the students own cellphones by the time they are in high school,
educators have turned it into a valuable resource that can be used in class –
much like pens, books and calculators.  It may have taken some time before
the BYOD trend was accepted but its popularity and acceptance is growing.

See the article: Upsides of BYOD in Education

Upsides of employing BYOD in the Workplace
Just like in education, BYOD can provide all of these benefits as well in
the workplace.  Having a BYOD Policy will afford employees the freedom to
work remotely, and increases the flexibility of your workforce.

Are there any Downsides?
However it is important to assess and manage the risks before giving
employees free rein to link their devices to company network.
It is yet to be seen whether or not the BYOD will be a major feature of the
future mobile workforce, the current trend suggests that this phenomenon is perhaps
here to stay and that IT Managers need to be proactive in their approach to ensure
its smooth implementation for everyone’s benefit within the particular organisation.

With more and more employees becoming more tech savvy and looking to use their personal
mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets in the office, businesses need to manage
the use of the devices in a secure environment, this Video outlines how
a new device manager from Vodafone can assist IT managers in this new and important
area know as BYOD or “Bring your own device” overcome  a new challenge facing IT
Managers.

B.Y.O.D. or (bring your own device).
Its a fast growing trend in business today, here are some
great apps to help you help to get your smartphone to work
while in the office without upsetting your IT Manager to much.